1880s
Aturaaqtinnatik ukunani Qallunaat, Inuinnait atuinnaqhutik manirarmiunit avataitingillu anuudjutikhanut. Ingilrainnaqhuta hilaqutainnaatigut anguniaraangapta, taaqhigaangat qaayurnaqpiaqtillugulu iglumi ukiivingnilu taryurmi nattiqhiuqhuta niqikhaqhiuqhuta, ingilrutikhanut, uqhukhamaallu. Auyami huligiakhivluni, ilavullu avaliqanngittumik ingilrainnaqhutik nunami tuktuhiuqhutik iqalukhiuqhutiglu.
Before sustained contact with Qallunaat (non-Inuit), Inuinnait relied only on the land and it resources for their livelihood. We travelled according to a seasonal cycle of harvest, spending the darkest and coldest months in iglu camps on the sea ice to capture seals for food, tools, and fuel. Summers were a time of greater freedom, when families dispersed in smaller groups to wander the land and increase their supply of caribou and fish.
Inuinnait atigit akunnganit takunnaqhuni ilagiikhutik nunamiunit. Mitqutit hanauyauvaktut kannuyarmit ipikpiaqtuniglu haunirmut, tuktum nukingit ivaluqaqpakhutik, atigikhangillu amingiqaqhutik tuktunut natiingillu. Atigit pinniqhivakhutik tamainnit Inuinnait nunanganit, tunungit pamiungit unalu aannguaqaqhutik (manuhiniq) pulahimayangit qatiggarmi. Atigit pinniqutiqayuktut aannguarnit ilittuqhivlutik miqhuqtum ayuinningit ilitturnaqhunilu katilviuvakhutik nanminiqutainnaanit nunamiuttanit. Hamna qakuqtaq amingit tuktup nadjaamiuttauvluni (pukiq), aupayaaqtumik uqhugiarnik uyarak minguliqhugit (ivitaq) taimaa atigit pinniqutigivlutik taimaa inuudjarikhinnaqhuni inungnut. Atataqaqhutik tiriap amingit, nanup kigutingnut unalu qaqhaup itigainnit iliyauvakhutik atiginut aadjiliurahuaqhugit anngutikha’p ayuinningit atuqtunut.
Inuinnait parkas of this time reflect our relationship to the land. Sewing needles were made from raw copper and sharpened bone, thread from caribou sinew, and fabric from the skins of caribou and seal. Parka fashion was similar across the Inuinnait region, with long back tails and decorative panels (manuhiniq) often covering the chest. Parkas were usually decorated with ornate details to demonstrate a sewer’s talent and symbolize connection to the natural world. The white fur of a caribou’s belly (pukiq), and red stone dye (ivitaq) made parkas designs stand out and provided spiritual protection. Amulets of weasel skins, bear tooth and loon feet were often attached to parkas to transfer the animals’ desirable qualities to their wearers.
Copper Inuit [Inuinnait] lined up, posing, in their snow village on Coronation Gulf near the Coppermine River, N.W.T. [Nunavut],24 Feb. 1915. Johansen/CMH
A sewing detail from the front of a historic Inuinnait parka collected by anthropologist Diamond Jenness in 1916.
“Esquimaux of Pr[ince] Albert‟s Land - Winter Dress,” drawn in 1851-1852 by Edward Adams.
Copper Inuit [Inuinnait] lined up, posing, in their snow village on Coronation Gulf near the Coppermine River, N.W.T. [Nunavut],24 Feb. 1915. Johansen/CMH